Dennis Law Citation

Dennis Law Citation ACT ThD (Honoris Causa) 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit!

My name is Roger Lewis. I am the Chair of the Board of the Australian College of Theology. The Board is a fine group of Christian men and women, all experts in their respective fields, all with a desire to see God’s Kingdom grow through theological education. It is an honour to serve with them.

The Australian College of Theology celebrates its 132nd birthday this year. It has come a long way since it began in 1891. In the last year, there have been two significant developments. First, the constitution has been reformed to include the voices of many more stakeholders, including the Principal and Chair of Chinese Theological College Australia, and a representative of the Sydney Chinese Christian Churches Association. Second, the College has been recognised as an Australian University College by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

The Australian College of Theology is a consortium of 17 theological colleges, including, of course, the Chinese Theological College Australia. It has been wonderful to see CTCA develop and mature over the years. And it has been wonderful to see the students graduate today-congratulations to you all!

There is one more graduate to congratulate today. The Australian College of Theology has the power to grant an honorary degree, the Doctor of Theology (honoris causa).

This is a great honour, and rarely awarded; in fact it was last awarded in 2016.

The criteria for such an award are strict. For example, the award may be given to someone who has made a sustained and distinguished contribution to theological education in Australia or has made a significant contribution to the leadership of the Christian church in Australia.

I am pleased to say that at its meeting last month the Board of the Australian College of Theology resolved to award a Doctor of Theology degree to Reverend Dr Dennis Law.

Congratulations, Dr Law!

May the Lord bless all who have received recognition here today as you continue to work with him to advance the Kingdom of God.